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At the house.
A dull morning. Packed up my 'bits' and into the car. Breakfast before setting off. Drove round to St Peter's Church, but found the graveyard mostly covered in briers and brambles, so the graves were inaccessible. Most of those I could get at were covered in moss and lichen, or were damaged beyond legibility. A lot of work is needed by the church to get their 'garden' cleared for people to 'remember' their loved-ones.
Having failed to get anything useful, I headed off north. A good run, with quiet roads and only a couple of roadworks sections. Got to the house just before 14:30 and unpacked. Quiet evening with "Strictly".
After breakfast in the hotel, I headed to the main town graveyard. It is huge! Walked downhill to the furthest section (which appeared to be the oldest), and started the labourious working along the lines of graves. Took a break for lunch, walking back up the hill to the car, and stopping in at the reception desk. Managed to get a copy of a print of the area, showing sections and grave 'block' numbers.
After lunch, returned to the foot of the hill and continued quartering the area. By 15:30, I had finished the 'old' section, finding none of the graves I expected to find, got one of a known person and recorded it, and several of family surnames without matching forenames.
Headed back to the hotel, exhausted! Dinner and an early night. Tomorrow I look at a local churchyard, then head off north again.
Cloudy day but no rain or wind. Finished getting "Paws" "tucked in" for the winter, and packing the car. Managed to get away by 07:20, heading north for Lancashire to investigate some graves for the genealogy project. After initially going to Marsden and finding it was actually the wrong town, I ended up in Nelson at the graveyard for St John the Evangelist. Beautiful views across the Pennines as I cossed the peaks. After a long chat with the community group there (very useful for further later research), I worked round the graveyard, finding the grave I particularly wanted, and noting a further half dozen potential matches for later. Headed off to the Premier Inn in Burnley for the night.
Woke to thick wetting fog! Drove down to Hinckley for the Sunday service at the URC, then back to "Paws" for lunch. After lunch, drove over to Amington to visit Sarah for a catch-up and to return Graham's borrowed suit. Leigh turned up later in the afternoon so a chance to catch up with her as well. The fog slowly cleared throughout the day.
Still dull on Monday, but at least the precipitation had ceased. Drove into Hinckley for stores to last until Wednesday night. Back for lunch, then prepped the car for the journey north, and decided my routing. Topped up the water on "Paws".
Cooler on Tuesday, and still dull, but only gentle airs. Took "Paws" across to top up the fuel for heating while I'm away (should last until the begining of February). Continued with prep for the journey north (incl the stop at Burnley).
Another dull day throughout Wednesday. A wee trip out to dump rubbish, recycle coffee pods and fuel the car. Got the packing done as far as possible and most into the car ready. Hopefully a quick getaway tomorrow.
Spent Tuesday morning on routine chores (water, loo, rubbish etc). In the afternoon, drove into Hinckley for shopping.
Quiet day pottering on Wednesday. Had a loook at the genealogy project in advance of next week's trip home - have booked a hotel in Burnley and plan to have a walk round some of the graveyards in the area looking for 'stones of interest.
After a cold night, Thursday was a dull day throughout. Another day of pottering, then out in the evening to Hinckley URC for a last rehearsal for Saturday.
Quiet day on Friday in advance of the concentration of a rehearsal and concert. Took my regular walk round the marina. Mostly dull.
Quiet morning on Saturday. After an early lunch, drove down to Coventry for the Festival of Church Music. Rehearsal in the afternoon with the whole choir together for the first time (estimated at 170 singers). A break for In Harmony's AGM, and meal (supplied by caterers). The service early evening was an act of worship, led by Martin Leckebusch (exec president of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland). A pleasant surprise for me was to find Stephen & Gwyneth in the congregation. A great evening, leaving me 'buzzing'. Got back to "Paws" just before 21:00.
Long lie on Thursday, and a quiet morning after the drive yesterday. After lunch drove into Hickley for stores. In the evening, drove back into Hinckley for the choir rehearsal at Hinckley URC church. After a bright, warm day, just got back as the rain set in.
Heavy overnight rain continued through Friday. Generally pottered, with more rehearsal work for tomorrow's Fauré, Sunday's harvest service, and the event at Coventry Cathedral next Saturday.
A dull morning on Saturday, threatening rain. I had a quiet morning before an early lunch. Headed into Hinckley after lunch, to St Mary's church. Rehearsal in the afternoon, and a short break for sustenance. Disappointed in the small number of singers, and a poor rehearsal (not a lot of 'homework' in advance). Performance of Fauré's Requiem in the evening in aid of the fund for repair of their organ. Disappointed in the small audience. Considering the afternoon rehearsal, it was a good performance, everything came together. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Down in Hinckley again Sunday for the Harvest service at URC. Lovely service, with an item from the choir. Back to "Paws" for a quiet afternoon. A fine, bright day throughout.
On Monday, drove across to Fradley/Alrewas for the funeral of Patrick, initially at Frdaley Crem then at Alrewas chapel. Great send-off, and so Patrick. Led by Rev.Sue and Rev.Jo. Quiet remainder to the day.
Up early and away promptly for the drive south again. Heavy rain and low cloud over the Pentlands, easing to light drizzle down to the border. Heavy congestion from Halbeath to Straiton, then lorries and farm vehicles across to Abington. Today was obviously the day they let the silly drivers out - some very poor quality from a few of my fellow motorists. The weather improved from around Carlisle and was quite pleasant by the time I arrived at "Paws" just after 15:00. Unpacked for a quiet evening with the tele.
